News From 'THE MIDDLE'

Having secured Kent opening batsman Joe Denly in the close season,Middlesex are set to let them have another in return as Scott Newman in the last year of his contract at Lord's is likely to join them on a loan deal from the start of the season.

Middlesex are close to making an overseas signing fot the 20/20 competition in 2012,and are negotiating to secure the services of The Sri Lankan 'Slinga Malinga' to enhance their fire power for the upcoming campaign

wow Malinga would be a fantastic signing, best death bowler in world cricket

Scott Newman will be joining Kent,initially for a two month loan period up till May 31st.

Don't think that's a huge loss. Newman was a bit hit and miss, and I rate Denly higher...

There were quite a lot of mutterings about Newman's attitude during the latter stages of his time at Surrey. Anyone know whether the same issues came up at Middlesex?

dont rate newman at all, denly is far superior.

Scott is a far wiser and mature character than in his younger days,and there has certainly been no problems with his attitude in the two years he's been at Middlesex.
However his four day form has been spasmodic and he can no longer guarantee a place in the first team,considering the strong batting line-up at the club,his comparative age,the emergence of younger players and the likliehood of Morgan and Strauss being available more than in recent seasons.
For this reason and given his experience it was felt both the club and himself would be better served playing regularly elsewhere.
This is the last year of his contract at Lord's and the probability is the rest of his career will be spent elsewhere.
Unlike Scott ,Joe Denly has his best years ahead of him,which is why Middlesex have invested in him.Scott has been a fine player in his time,but Middlesex must now look to the future.
How much have you even seen of him play CF90?

Newmann had his moments, but personally I always thought they were too few and far between. Denly has a bit of something about him, although he seems to have stagnated somewhat the last couple of years. I think the change will do him good.

Middlesex have quite a bit of batting with Robson, Denly, Rogers, Malan, Dexter, Simpson and of course Morgan and Strauss who should be around more. Berg will hopefully stay fit also, as him at 7 adds balance to the side. Is Housego still around?

Housego has joined Gloucestershire wher he will get more opportunities.In addition to those you mention,others fighting for for a first team batting place include Stirling,London,Scollay,Kettleborough, Rossington. and Balbirnie.

Scott Newman's First-class record over the last two seasons.

2010 (England) 15 27 0 945 126 35.00
2011 (England) 13 22 1 694 95 33.04
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And Joe Denly's
2010 (England) 18 33 0 848 106 25.69
2011 (England) 14 28 1 1024 199 37.92
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Not that much in it,but You''ll find that Scott just has the edge,for those who wish to decry his recent form like the misinformed poster below




by cricketfan90 Today at 3:02 pm

.dont rate newman at all, denly is far superior..

Oh yeah I've seen a bit of Adam London, he looks a decent prospect.

I think Denly is better than those figures, and expect improvement with a change of scenery.

Paul Stirling and Adam Rossington are the stand-out performers amongst those I've listed,both have already gained International representative honours and big things are expoected from them.
Adam London has suffered with injuries recently which have set him back a bit,hopefully he can put those behind him and have a successful season.
I think the unhealthy atmosphere at Canterbury has affected Denly's recent form and I'm sure a change of scene and teaming up with best pal Middlesex skipper Neil Dexter will see him produce the sort of form of which he's capable ,and compete for International honours once more.

Scott was apparently keen on the move and appears to have initiated it himselfhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cricket/17365048

Lalith Malinga is set to sign for The County's 20/20 campaign in the next few days.

With their Cape Town training camp and three wins from as many pre-season friendlies behind them, newly-promoted Middlesex have every right to go into the new first-class season with confidence high.

After a winter of team consolidation that saw five players sign contact extensions and both Joe Denly and Ollie Rayner join the club, Middlesex and their captain Neil Dexter have enjoyed six months of stamina building and bonding and now feel ready for the challenges that a return to the top-flight will throw at them.

They kick-off their County Championship campaign on April 5 against last season’s serial bridesmaids Somerset. It will be the first time the clubs have met at Taunton in the Championship in five years, and neither captain will want a repeat of the outcome that year.

In April 2007 Middlesex, having elected to bat, posted an impressive 600 for four with hundreds from Owais Shah, Billy Godleman and David Nash, only for the hosts to hit back with a mammoth 850 for seven built around Justin Langer’s 315. Needless to say, the game ended in a tame draw.

Looking ahead to the visit to the West Country, Dexter said: “We look in really good shape and the spirit in the dressing room here right now is as good as I’ve known anywhere.

“We’ve strengthened the batting at the top of the order and have a great blend of youth and experience on the bowling front. Tim Murtagh and Corey Collymore may find wickets a little harder to come by this year than they did in Division Two with the Tiflex ball, but they’re both quality operators and will again want to lead us from the front.

“Added to which, we may see a little bit more of Steven Finn this season, Gareth Berg is injury-free for the first time in almost two years and Toby Roland-Jones continues to impress with his talent and is bound to press for a place.

“We may not have a big name spinner, but we have three young spinners all vying for a start, while Joe Denly and Dawid (Malan) can both chip in with some leg-spin. I feel we have good balance and a greater strength in depth now, which is what you’d want in a promoted side.”

LOVERBOY wrote:Lalith Malinga is set to sign for The County's 20/20 campaign in the next few days.

very good signing for your boys

Andrew Strauss and Steven Finn stand by to replace Ollie Rayner and Corey Coillymore for Thursday's clash with Essex at Lord's.